Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour and Benediction after 10 am Mass on Wednesday.

Sacrament of Penance may be received on Saturday: 12 noon to 1pm.

Today is the Feast of Corpus Christi – a day on which we celebrate the gift of the Eucharist. At one time this feast was kept on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday but now it has been moved to the following Sunday. There many things to think about on Maundy Thursday and so the Church instituted a special feast later in the year to give thanks for the Eucharist.

Friday is the Feast of the Sacred Heart. It is a special day for the Sisters at the Convent and on this day they renew their dedication during the Mass.

Wednesday is the feast of the Apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul. It is a holy day of obligation: there will be Masses in the Church at 7, 10am and 6.30pm and a Mass at the Convent at 8am.

A busy week ahead: there are Trust meetings on Monday and Tuesday mornings so that I will not be about for a Mass at 10am in the Church. If the Bishop is not available, I will ask the Eucharistic Ministers to help.

On Saturday there is an ordination at Westminster Cathedral. Graham Stokes was a student at our College in Spain and belongs to the Diocese of Westminster. He is a kindred spirit – he shares an interest in Routemasters. We meet from time to time and enjoy a conversation which would have little meaning to anybody else. Prayers and congratulations for him on this special day. The ordination Mass is in the morning so once again I will have to ask the Eucharistic Ministers to help.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the ordination to the priesthood of the Holy Father. The Nuncio will be celebrating a special Mass in Westminster Cathedral on Tuesday evening at 5.30pm.

Thursday is the day for our Parish Annual meeting. It will be held at 7.30 in the big hall with refreshments available from 7. A chance to review the work of the parish during the past year and to make our plans for the future. Also we need to elect some new members for the parish Council. The food and wine is always good so if you can, please try to come along.

Now a space for a recipe. This is helpful if you are holding a Barbie. Cook some new potatoes and slice into fairly wide chunks. Make up a mixture of half mayonnaise and half crème fraiche. Add a handful of chopped chives and some black pepper. This is much better than anything that you can buy in a tub from the supermarket.

Have you looked at the new parish web site at stmarysblackheath.org.uk? It is easy to use with lots of information. If possible I will try to add the newsletter each week. Thanks to all who have helped to set it up.

A prayer to our favourite saints:

Almighty Father, through your grace the saints reflect your holiness in many different ways: grant that we may be encouraged by their example and supported by their prayers, and so reach the heights of virtue to which you have called us. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.